"The graduate certificate program broadened my perspective on gender issues particularly as they relate to higher education administration. My work in women's studies enabled me to understand better the stereotyping of intellectual abilities of boys and girls and to apply what I learned to education." -- Joanna Daiwo, former Fulbright Scholar from the Solomon Islands and Certificate Program Graduate

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Women’s and Gender Studies is open to the graduate student seeking an interdisciplinary program in women’s and gender studies in addition to the master’s or doctoral degree that the student is pursuing in a traditional discipline. The program is also intended for postbaccalaureate working professionals such as psychologists, social workers, nurses librarians, and teachers who wish to obtain information and skills in women’sand gender studies to aid them in their professions. We do not offer a Master's or Ph.D. degree.

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Women’s and Gender Studies is interdisciplinary and requires a total of 18 graduate credits within a six-year period in prescribed and elective courses. All students must take the two core courses: WOST 701 and 702. Each student must take at least nine credits in elective courses chosen from an approved list to meet the student’s own interests. A final required seminar, WOST 797, serves as a capstone experience to help integrate the elective courses with the material learned in the introductory core. Courses taken as part of another graduate degree program may, if appropriate, be applied also to the certificate program. The Certificate of Graduate Study in Women’s and Gender Studies is awarded upon completion of the student’s approved program of courses.

Admission requirements for USC students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program:

Letter of intent and statement of purpose addressed to Dr. DeAnne Messias, Graduate Director, Women’s & Gender Studies Program, 201 Flinn Hall, University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208
Application to USC Graduate School for Women’s and Gender Certificate Program Concurrent Enrollment (Access the on-line application at: http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/)
$15 fee payable to USC (concurrent enrollment/change of status)
Any of the following, if applicable, which are NOT already on file with the USC Graduate School:
• Official transcripts from all prior colleges or universities
• GRE/GMAT/MAT
• TOEFL
• Two letters of recommendation
Graduate Assistantships

Applicants will need to submit a completed application together with official transcripts, GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The Graduate School also provides online application. Minimum entrance requirements will be the same as those for the Graduate School, except that evidence of career commitment in women's and gender studies will be ascertained from the letters of recommendation and the applicant's statement. There is no deadline for applying to the Graduate Certificate Program. Applicants can apply to the certificate program any time. Contact the Women's and Gender Studies Graduate Director, Dr. DeAnne K. Messias for more information.